Former CIA Analyst: Obama Has Backed Himself Into A Corner In Libya And Will Have To Admit Defeat Or Send In Ground Troops

Fromer CIA analyst, and head of the Osama Bin Laden team from 1996 to 199, Michael Scheuer spoke to CNN about the situation in Libya. He was candid about the nature of the rebel groups fighting Qaddafi, and about the choices the U.S. faces.

0:45 The President has sent in the CIA to find out exactly who he’s dealing with.

1:00 Libya has sent many young men to Islamic insurgencies; those who don’t get killed go home; The core of the rebels is probably made up of these people.

2:30 You’re only able to vet the people in the opposition as much as they are willing to talk to you. Those that are pro-democracy will talk, others will not.

3:00 The better solution was “never go at all.” We’re apparently going to try to train and arm the resistance, which takes time. “The President is putting himself into a corner where his only option is ground troops.”

3:50 The choice may come down to admitting a mistake, or putting ground troops in. Nation’s don’t like admitting mistakes.

4:45 This is a U.S. led operation. The Arab states involved are tyrannies, hated by their own people. “This is a piece of theatre set up by Mrs. Clinton and Mr. McCain and the bi-partisan group that loves to intervene abroad.” In the Muslim world, this is Americans killing Muslims and it looks like it is for oil.

5:55 This is not just a Democratic problem, this is a Republic problem too. We like to intervene where it is not our business and we have no interests, and at a time where we are nearly bankrupt.